Thermal donor for high-speed printing

Abstract

A dye-donor element, a method of printing using the dye-donor element, and a print assembly including the dye-donor element are described, wherein the dye-donor layer of the dye-donor element includes hydroxyalkyl cellulose as a binder. The dye-donor element is capable of printing a defect-free image on a receiver element at a line speed of 2.0 msec/line or less while maintaining a print density of at least 2.0.

1. A method of printing, comprising
 obtaining a donor comprising a support and a dye layer, wherein the dye layer comprises a binder and a dye, the binder comprising hydroxyalkyl cellulose; 
 obtaining a receiver having a support and a dye-receiving layer on the support; 
 placing the dye layer of the donor adjacent the dye-receiving layer of the receiver; and 
 applying heat in an imagewise fashion to the donor to form a dye image on the receiver, 
 wherein the image is formed at a line speed of 2 msec or less. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image is formed at a line speed of 1.5 msec or less. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image is formed at a line speed of 1.2 msec or less. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image has a maximum density of at least 2. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is formed by extruding the dye-receiving layer onto the support. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydroxyalkyl cellulose is hydroxypropyl cellulose, methylhydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydroxyalkyl cellulose is hydroxypropyl cellulose. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dye layer does not include a plasticizer. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dye layer includes a plasticizer. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plasticizer is an aliphatic polyester, an epoxidized oil, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, a poly(ethylene glycol), a poly(propylene glycol), a poly(vinyl ethyl ether), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plasticizer is a polyester adipate, a polyester sebacate, poly(propylene glycol), or polyester glutarate. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount from 1 wt. % to 35 wt. % by weight of the binder. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises greater than 40% by weight hydroxyalkyl cellulose. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises greater than 60% by weight hydroxyalkyl cellulose. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises greater than 80% by weight hydroxyalkyl cellulose. 
     
     
       16. A print assembly comprising a donor and a receiver,
 wherein the donor comprises a support and a dye layer, wherein the dye layer comprises a binder and a dye, the binder comprises hydroxyalkyl cellulose, and wherein said print assembly is printed at a line speed of 2 msec or less. 
 
     
     
       17. The print assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the receiver comprises a support and an extruded dye-receiving layer on the support. 
     
     
       18. The print assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the hydroxyalkyl cellulose is hydroxypropyl cellulose, methylhydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, or a combination thereof.